Provost's Council Minutes 3-24-15

Provost’s Council
March 24, 2015
8:30 a.m.
Ruby Hicks Hall, Room 245
(Revised April 14, 2015)

Members Present:     Dan Averette, Jackie Blakley, Tim Bowen, Jenni Creamer, Scott Harvey, Linda Jameison, Lynn Lewis, Lou Ann Martin, Marla Roberson, Sarah Shumpert, Hap Wheeler
Members Absent:      Gayle Arries, Brian Swords
Others Present:          Amanda Blanton, Sharon Colcolough           
Length of Meeting:   2.0 hours
Topics Discussed:

 Pending additional information, the approval of the March 10 meeting minutes was tabled. 

 Amanda Blanton gave an update on the Anderson 3, 4, and 5 Career Center and distributed and discussed two documents (Anderson 3, 4, 5 Career Center, Planning Updates and Next Steps and Planning the Curriculum for Anderson 3-4-5 Career Center – Initial Draft Program Proposal for Superintendents, March 6, 2015.)  In reviewing the handouts and during the discussion, Amanda touched on the facility updates, the curriculum, and next steps.  In addition to meeting with the deans, Glenn Hellenga, and Scott Harvey to determine needs and scheduling, the workgroup is reviewing the state-wide market analysis/gap analysis for regional economies.   She also noted that through the co-location, they hope to create a college experience for students who attend the career center. 

Sharon Colcolough attended the meeting to give an FTE update.  She distributed and discussed two handouts (Section 25-0004, Technical & Comprehensive Education Bd., and FTEs:  Allocations by College.  During the discussion, she noted the following:

·         We do not have unlimited FTE.

·         Even with an early request, the State is limited by the number of FTE allocated to the system.

·         Currently, the college has no new FTE slots.  Working through the proper chain, we can re-direct a vacant FTE to meet needs.

·         The state will reclaim a FTE that is vacant for 12 months.  Sharon does her best to be sure this doesn’t happen.

·         FTEs are allocated to the system, not to individual colleges, which creates challenges. 

 Sharon also noted that in order to prepare summer faculty letters, she will contact the deans, via e- mail, to request the following information:

·         Who is teaching

·         Number of hours

·         Credit or contact (12/16 is full-time in the summer)

·         Which session

Galen discussed Service Hours During Enrollment Peak Times and noted the need for common hours.  Consideration should be given to all offices (Business Office, Financial Aid, Admissions, Student Records, Success Coaches), necessary student services (Bookstore, ID badges, advisors) and the library.  The members of the group will poll their areas and bring any recommendations to the next meeting.

Announcements:

Marla: 

Faculty Senate will meet on March 30. All are welcome.

Scott: 

The “cancelled courses” workgroup is meeting and a recommendation will come to the Provost’s Council soon.  He was pleased to announce that this spring’s commencement is the largest ever.  The graduation rate is up 50% from last year.  

Dan Averette noted the need to consider dual majors, and the group briefly discussed it.  The framework for dual majors is in place, but we have found that financial aid implications and course restrictions cause issues.  It was noted that Provost’s Council could endorse dual majors, now that we have the curriculum to justify the need.  It was stressed that the integrity of the data that the college provides to federal agencies is the issue. 

Scott also noted that the Department of Education review/audit came out very well, and we are addressing policies and procedures and responding to unofficial withdrawal issues.

The discrepancy in LDAs was briefly discussed.  The system only reports what faculty enter, so additional/refresher training may be needed.  Lou Ann noted that Starfish can put up a flag, but the flag is based on Session A only.  It was also noted that in reviewing the Change of Major policy, the number of people and steps involved needs to be a consideration.

Dan:

Schneider would like to have 4 co-ops and requested that those students have a set schedule to better utilize their time at the facility and at the college.  We were able to meet that request.

Linda:

As she reviews the student travel funding request process, Linda will begin to put parameters in place and to streamline the process for funding student travel. She asked the group to mention this to their faculty and staff, in case it needs to be a consideration in budget development. 

Jenni:

Orientation kicks off on April 6.  She asked the group to encourage any high school students to attend the CMT event at the Bluegrass Festival.

 Lou Ann:

Asked the group to identify any lecturers that may be available for orientation.

Anne:

Reminded the group that presidential medallion nominations are due on April 1.

 With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Recorded By:             Anne Bryan

Next Meeting:            Tuesday, April 14, at 10:00 a.m., in RH 245